New Year’s Resolutions
UNGA A/RES/ES-10/19: On December 21, 2017 the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) approved the resolution, by a vote of 128-9-35 (yes-no-abstain), which in part “demands that all States comply with [prior] Security Council (UNSC) resolutions regarding the Holy City of Jerusalem”.
It further states that “decisions and actions which purport to have altered, the character, status or demographic composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded in compliance with relevant resolutions of the Security Council, and in this regard, calls upon all States to refrain from the establishment of diplomatic missions in the Holy City of Jerusalem, pursuant to resolution 478 (1980) of the Security Council”. Interestingly, the United States did not veto any of the relevant UNSC resolutions, and so participated in their approval process.
By now violating these resolutions, the United States has violated international law. Israel has done so for many years by blatantly manipulating the demographic composition of the city. Today on New Year’s Eve, let’s look at some other key resolutions regarding Israeli actions in forced expulsion of Palestinians from their homes, in seizing land and building settlements in Jerusalem and the West Bank, and in its relations with the rest of the world.
UNGA RES 194 (1948): “Resolves that the refugees wishing to return to their homes and live at peace with their neighbours should be permitted to do so at the earliest practicable date, and that compensation should be paid for the property of those choosing not to return and for loss of or damage to property which, under principles of international law or in equity, should be made good by the Governments or authorities responsible”.
UNSC RES 252 (1968):“Considers that all legislative and administrative measures and actions taken by Israel, including expropriation of land and properties thereon, which tend to change the legal status of Jerusalem are invalid and cannot change that status”.
UNSC RES 476 (1980):“all legislative and administrative measures and actions taken by Israel, the occupying Power, which purport to alter the character and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem have no legal validity and constitute a flagrant violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention”. [The Fourth Geneva Convention deals with humanitarian protections for civilians in a war zone.]
UNGA A/RES/43/50E (1988): “Strongly urges those States which directly or indirectly infringe the arms embargo and continue to collaborate with [apartheid] South Africa in the military, nuclear, and military intelligence and technology fields, in particular certain Western States and Israel, to terminate forthwith such acts”.
The leaders of the Zionist movement that led to the creation of Israel consistently advocated violation of human rights, setting the values that today Israel embraces. It helps to explain why the world’s nations repeatedly censure Israel to this day, and why “peace” is hard to come by.
David Ben Gurion, Israel’s first Prime Minister: “I support compulsory transfer. I don’t see anything immoral in it.”
Yitzhak Rabin, Israeli Prime Minister: “I agreed that it was essential to drive the inhabitants out.”
Levi Eshkol, Israeli Prime Minister (speaking of Palestinian refugees in 1967):“I want them all to go, even if they go to the moon”
Moshe Dayan, Israeli Defense Minister (speaking of the effect of occupation on Palestinians in the 1970s):“You shall continue to live like dogs, and whoever wants to leave can leave – and we will see where this process leads”.
In the dying days of this dark year of 2017, the world’s nations have acted to shine a bright light. Let us continue with strength and resolve to act in this new year of 2018 to resist the hate and lies and injustices.
“The only recognizable feature of hope is action” – Grace Paley
